UPDATES WITH DETAILS, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK
By Ahmed Asmar and Betul Yilmaz
ANKARA / ISTANBUL (AA) – The Lebanese and Palestinian presidents agreed on Wednesday to establish a joint committee to follow up on the situation in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
The decision came following talks in Beirut between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas.
“The two sides agreed to form a joint Lebanese-Palestinian committee to monitor the situation of Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and work to improve the living conditions of refugees,” a joint statement reads.
Aoun and Abbas also reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of bringing all weapons under Lebanese state control and ending any non-state formations, according to the statement.
They also agreed to strengthen coordination between Lebanese and Palestinian authorities to ensure stability within and around the Palestinian refugee camps.
Abbas arrived in Beirut early Wednesday for a three-day visit to hold talks with his Lebanese counterpart and other senior officials.
The total number of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is estimated to be around 200,000, distributed among 12 camps, most of which are under the control of the Palestinian factions.